In this engaging episode of The Teacher's Toolkit for Literacy, Sharon Callen explores how to establish a thriving literacy environment for the year ahead. With her hallmark blend of enthusiasm and expertise, Sharon shares actionable insights to help teachers create purposeful, connected, and engaging spaces for students to learn and grow.

Sharon begins by emphasising the importance of seamless literacy routines, offering a roadmap for integrating key tools like the writer’s notebook, reading journal, classroom library, and word walls. She highlights the Teachific platform, showcasing its curated resources, including grade-specific literacy units designed to launch reading and writing workshops with ease. Sharon illustrates how these routines can evolve into meaningful learning experiences, emphasising the natural connection between reading and writing to foster deeper engagement.

The conversation dives into practical resources, including sample spelling planners and a comprehensive spelling scope and sequence, ensuring teachers have the scaffolding needed for consistent word work. Sharon underscores the value of linking spelling to the processes of reading and writing, empowering students to transfer word knowledge across contexts.

The episode also celebrates the art of the read-aloud, a daily ritual Sharon champions for its role in teaching reading strategies, expanding vocabulary, and nurturing comprehension. From selecting the perfect chapter books for younger readers to spotlighting captivating texts like The Fox and the Ghost King by Michael Morpurgo, Sharon shares tips for building a library that excites and inspires.

Finally, Sharon explores transformative assessment strategies, including conferring and the groundbreaking Listening to Reading, Watching While Writing Protocol. This episode is a treasure trove for educators seeking a confident, connected start to the literacy year. Tune in for tools, inspiration, and a wealth of practical advice!

READ THE BLOG HERE

JOIN TEACHIFIC NOW AND SAVE!

• Join Teachific  today. Access thousands of resources and a growing number of 'anytime' courses within your membership.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Tune in to "Teacher's Tool Kit For Literacy," a free podcast where accomplished literacy educator Sharon Callen and her team share valuable insights and tips. With over 30 years of experience, they provide strategic learning solutions to empower teachers and leaders worldwide.  Subscribe on your favourite platform for exclusive literacy learning content.  Apple, Spotify,  Google, YouTube

• Read our insightful blogs, which make valuable connections between resources, podcasts and courses.
• Visit our Cue Learning website and sign up for the Teacher's Toolkit Weekly newsletter to stay updated on resources, events and discover how Cue can support you and your school.
• Explore Teachific, our vast collection of PDF resources, to enhance your teaching toolkit. And get even more support from our growing number of 'anytime' online courses.
• Connect with the latest news and other educators by joining our Teacher's Toolkit Facebook group
• Explore upcoming live or online webinar  events

Have questions or feedback? Reach out to us directly at [email protected]

In this engaging podcast episode, Sharon Callen delves into the essential tools every teacher needs to kickstart a literacy-rich classroom for a successful year. She emphasises that creating a learning environment isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about equipping students with tools that inspire curiosity, agency, and growth. Sharon introduces five transformative strategies: Classroom Libraries, Reading Journals, Quick Writes, Writer’s Notebooks, and Word Walls, highlighting their practical impact on fostering lifelong reading and writing habits.

The Power of Classroom Libraries
A vibrant classroom library is more than a collection of books—it’s the heartbeat of literacy learning. With research showing that students in classrooms with libraries read 50% more, Sharon discusses how a diverse and inviting library fuels a love for reading. She provides tips on curating “tantalising texts” and designing cosy spaces that encourage exploration.

Reading Journals: Documenting Growth
Sharon describes Reading Journals as personal spaces for students to reflect on their reading journeys. From tracking books to responding creatively to literature, these journals build ownership and motivation. Tailored for different ages, they are also a treasure trove of insights for teachers into students’ preferences and progress.

Quick Writes: Unleashing Creativity
Quick Writes offer students the freedom to write without fear, boosting fluency and creativity in just 5–10 minutes. Sharon explains how playful prompts and low-pressure environments transform reluctant writers into confident ones, helping them generate ideas for future writing projects.

Writer’s Notebooks: A Home for Writing
A Writer’s Notebook becomes a sanctuary for student writing, fostering revision and experimentation. Sharon encourages frequent publishing and demonstrates how tools like margins and dual-page setups help students refine their craft over time.

Word Walls: Anchoring Vocabulary
For younger learners, alphabetical Word Walls offer accessible vocabulary support, while Personal Word Walls empower older students to curate meaningful words. Sharon shares tips for integrating Word Walls seamlessly into classroom routines.

Each strategy is a cornerstone of a supportive literacy classroom, cultivating a culture of joy and purpose. Sharon encourages teachers to implement these tools early, ensuring 2025 is a year filled with growth and creativity for all learners. 

Stay tuned for four more strategies in Part 2.

READ THE BLOG HERE

JOIN TEACHIFIC NOW AND SAVE!

• Join Teachific  today. Access thousands of resources and a growing number of 'anytime' courses within your membership.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Tune in to "Teacher's Tool Kit For Literacy," a free podcast where accomplished literacy educator Sharon Callen and her team share valuable insights and tips. With over 30 years of experience, they provide strategic learning solutions to empower teachers and leaders worldwide.  Subscribe on your favourite platform for exclusive literacy learning content.  Apple, Spotify,  Google, YouTube

• Read our insightful blogs, which make valuable connections between resources, podcasts and courses.
• Visit our Cue Learning website and sign up for the Teacher's Toolkit Weekly newsletter to stay updated on resources, events and discover how Cue can support you and your school.
• Explore Teachific, our vast collection of PDF resources, to enhance your teaching toolkit. And get even more support from our growing number of 'anytime' online courses.
• Connect with the latest news and other educators by joining our Teacher's Toolkit Facebook group
• Explore upcoming live or online webinar  events

Have questions or feedback? Reach out to us directly at [email protected]

Unlocking the Joy of Comprehension in Early Literacy

In this inspiring episode, literacy expert Diane Snowball delves into the transformative power of teaching comprehension in the foundational years (F-2). She underscores that comprehension is not just about understanding words but unlocking meaning, purpose, and the joy of reading. Diane shares practical strategies for educators and parents to nurture confident, thoughtful readers who engage deeply with texts.

Diane begins by celebrating the enduring value of reading aloud, even as children become independent readers. She emphasises its role in modelling comprehension strategies like questioning, predicting, and visualising, and turning shared reading sessions into opportunities for rich discussion and wonder. Parents, she notes, can keep reading enjoyable and purposeful by focusing on open-ended questions such as, “What are you picturing as I read?”

Choosing the right books is another cornerstone. Diane encourages educators and families to explore curated recommendations from trusted sources like Trevor Cairney’s blog and specialist bookstores. A mix of engaging fiction and nonfiction builds diverse comprehension skills and exposes children to text features like headings and diagrams.

In classrooms, Diane highlights the importance of integrating comprehension strategies naturally rather than teaching them in isolation. From inferring character motives in I Want My Hat Back to using nonfiction visuals for deeper understanding, the strategies come alive when applied authentically. She also champions teaching text structures, such as recognising the sequence in a recipe or the narrative arc in a story, to build confidence in approaching varied texts.

Diane concludes with a call to action for educators, families, and policymakers to prioritise access to quality books and teacher training. By working together, we can ensure every child discovers the magic and power of reading.

Takeaway for Teachers: Embrace comprehension as a joyful, meaningful practice. How will you spark curiosity and connection in your readers this week? Share your reflections!

READ THE BLOG HERE

RESOURCES

• Duke, Nell K., Ward, Alessandra, E. and Pearson, P. David. (2021) The Science of Reading Comprehension Instruction.
• Duke, Nell K. And The Science of Reading Progresses: Communicating Advances Beyond the Simple View of Reading
• Kambach, Anna Elizabeth and Mesmer, Heidi Anne. (2024) Comprehension for Emergent Readers: Revisiting the Reading Rope.
• Melissa and Lori Love Literacy Podcast, Episode 66: Re-thinking the Reading Rope with Nell Duke.
• Science of Reading: The Podcast, Season 3, Episode 10: Deconstructing the Rope: Language structures with Kate Cain.
• Sedita, J. (2020, May 16). Syntactic awareness: Teaching sentence structure (part 1). Keys to Literacy
• Timothy Rasinski - Fluency Rubric
• Trevor Cairney Blog

TEACHIFIC

• Teaching Comprehension, F-2  Quick Guide
• Teaching Comprehension, F-2  Comprehensive Guide
• Picture Books to Read Aloud to F-2 Students

JOIN TEACHIFIC NOW AND SAVE!

• Join Teachific  today. Access thousands of resources and a growing number of 'anytime' courses within your membership.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Tune in to "Teacher's Tool Kit For Literacy," a free podcast where accomplished literacy educator Sharon Callen and her team share valuable insights and tips. With over 30 years of experience, they provide strategic learning solutions to empower teachers and leaders worldwide.  Subscribe on your favourite platform for exclusive literacy learning content.  Apple, Spotify,  Google, YouTube

• Read our insightful blogs, which make valuable connections between resources, podcasts and courses.
• Visit our Cue Learning website and sign up for the Teacher's Toolkit Weekly newsletter to stay updated on resources, events and discover how Cue can support you and your school.
• Explore Teachific, our vast collection of PDF resources, to enhance your teaching toolkit. And get even more support from our growing number of 'anytime' online courses.
• Connect with the latest news and other educators by joining our Teacher's Toolkit Facebook group
• Explore upcoming live or online webinar  events

Have questions or feedback? Reach out to us directly at [email protected]

In Part 2: The Importance of Teaching Comprehension in F–2, Diane Snowball captivates listeners with her invaluable insights on teaching comprehension to Foundation through Year 2 students in Part 2 of this illuminating podcast series. Her wisdom bridges the gap between theory and practice, empowering educators to weave decoding and comprehension seamlessly into their teaching.

The Role of Shared Reading
Diane paints a vivid picture of shared reading (together, all eyes on enlarged text)as a powerful tool for nurturing young readers. She delves into teaching cohesive ties—those linguistic threads that connect ideas in texts—and offers practical strategies, like revisiting pronouns to establish meaning. Through examples such as The Very Hungry Caterpillar, she demonstrates how teachers can encourage students to actively engage with texts and illustrations, fostering critical thinking from the very first page.

Inferring: Unlocking Meaning Beyond Words
Through her discussion of Rosie’s Walk and Saturday Mornings, Diane underscores the importance of inference. She highlights how teachers can guide students to combine textual and visual clues, transforming them into confident meaning-makers. These skills, she asserts, are just as crucial for nonfiction as they are for narrative texts.

Integrating Decoding and Comprehension
Diane champions a holistic approach where decoding and comprehension grow in tandem. Shared reading becomes the conduit, combining phonics, vocabulary, and sentence structure with comprehension strategies in authentic contexts. This integrated method enhances literacy and maintains the joy of reading.

A Focus on Quality Texts
Diane emphasises selecting rich, multifaceted texts that offer opportunities for repeated readings. She encourages teachers to harness the power of these texts for decoding, writing, and comprehension instruction, simplifying planning while maximising learning.

A Lifelong Literacy Foundation
By embracing Diane’s practical, intentional methods, educators can set their youngest learners on a path to literacy success. With cohesive teaching strategies, meaningful texts, and a love of learning, the foundation for lifelong readers is built.

READ THE BLOG HERE

RESOURCES

• Duke, Nell K., Ward, Alessandra, E. and Pearson, P. David. (2021) The Science of Reading Comprehension Instruction.
• Duke, Nell K. And The Science of Reading Progresses: Communicating Advances Beyond the Simple View of Reading
• Kambach, Anna Elizabeth and Mesmer, Heidi Anne. (2024) Comprehension for Emergent Readers: Revisiting the Reading Rope.
• Melissa and Lori Love Literacy Podcast, Episode 66: Re-thinking the Reading Rope with Nell Duke.
• Science of Reading: The Podcast, Season 3, Episode 10: Deconstructing the Rope: Language structures with Kate Cain.
• Sedita, J. (2020, May 16). Syntactic awareness: Teaching sentence structure (part 1). Keys to Literacy
• Timothy Rasinski - Fluency Rubric
• Trevor Cairney Blog

TEACHIFIC

• Teaching Comprehension, F-2  Quick Guide
• Teaching Comprehension, F-2  Comprehensive Guide
• Picture Books to Read Aloud to F-2 Students

JOIN TEACHIFIC NOW AND SAVE!

• Join Teachific  today. Access thousands of resources and a growing number of 'anytime' courses within your membership.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Tune in to "Teacher's Tool Kit For Literacy," a free podcast where accomplished literacy educator Sharon Callen and her team share valuable insights and tips. With over 30 years of experience, they provide strategic learning solutions to empower teachers and leaders worldwide.  Subscribe on your favourite platform for exclusive literacy learning content.  Apple, Spotify,  Google, YouTube

• Read our insightful blogs, which make valuable connections between resources, podcasts and courses.
• Visit our Cue Learning website and sign up for the Teacher's Toolkit Weekly newsletter to stay updated on resources, events and discover how Cue can support you and your school.
• Explore Teachific, our vast collection of PDF resources, to enhance your teaching toolkit. And get even more support from our growing number of 'anytime' online courses.
• Connect with the latest news and other educators by joining our Teacher's Toolkit Facebook group
• Explore upcoming live or online webinar  events

Have questions or feedback? Reach out to us directly at [email protected]

In the latest episode of “The Importance of Teaching Comprehension in F-2 – A Conversation with Diane Snowball,” literacy expert Diane Snowball sits down with Phil to explore why comprehension should be the heartbeat of early literacy, especially in an era dominated by phonics and decoding. Diane passionately explains that teaching comprehension is not something to reserve for later; instead, it should be woven into reading instruction from the very first day a child encounters a book.

Diane discusses how comprehension isn’t just about words—it's about engaging young minds in the "who, what, where, and why" of stories, even when they’re just listening. Through read-alouds, children not only hear the words but also experience the deeper mechanics of storytelling. Diane emphasises that read-alouds, like in her example of sharing “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” invite children to explore concepts of character, setting, and make-believe in an accessible way, building a foundation for thoughtful reading as they progress.

As they chat, Diane explains the importance of choosing texts with coherent structures and rich language, helping children develop an ear for narrative flow and language patterns that support comprehension. She talks about the role of varied sentence structures, how listening comprehension aids independent reading, and the vital role that illustrations play in helping young readers visualise and make sense of stories.

Diane’s insights remind us that comprehension is far from a passive skill. It’s a dynamic process involving curiosity, connection-making, and critical thinking. With her strategies and thoughtful approach, Diane empowers educators to prioritise comprehension, guiding children to become not just readers, but engaged, thoughtful participants in the world of stories. For more on Diane's insights and practical tips, tune in to this episode and dive into the show notes for additional resources.

READ THE BLOG HERE

RESOURCES

• Duke, Nell K., Ward, Alessandra, E. and Pearson, P. David. (2021) The Science of Reading Comprehension Instruction.
• Duke, Nell K. And The Science of Reading Progresses: Communicating Advances Beyond the Simple View of Reading
• Kambach, Anna Elizabeth and Mesmer, Heidi Anne. (2024) Comprehension for Emergent Readers: Revisiting the Reading Rope.
• Melissa and Lori Love Literacy Podcast, Episode 66: Re-thinking the Reading Rope with Nell Duke.
• Science of Reading: The Podcast, Season 3, Episode 10: Deconstructing the Rope: Language structures with Kate Cain.
• Sedita, J. (2020, May 16). Syntactic awareness: Teaching sentence structure (part 1). Keys to Literacy
• Timothy Rasinski - Fluency Rubric
• Trevor Cairney Blog

TEACHIFIC

• Quick Guide to Teaching Comprehension, F-2
• Picture Books to Read Aloud to F-2 Students

JOIN TEACHIFIC NOW AND SAVE!

• Join Teachific  today. Access thousands of resources and a growing number of 'anytime' courses within your membership.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Tune in to "Teacher's Tool Kit For Literacy," a free podcast where accomplished literacy educator Sharon Callen and her team share valuable insights and tips. With over 30 years of experience, they provide strategic learning solutions to empower teachers and leaders worldwide.  Subscribe on your favourite platform for exclusive literacy learning content.  Apple, Spotify,  Google, YouTube

• Read our insightful blogs, which make valuable connections between resources, podcasts and courses.
• Visit our Cue Learning website and sign up for the Teacher's Toolkit Weekly newsletter to stay updated on resources, events and discover how Cue can support you and your school.
• Explore Teachific, our vast collection of PDF resources, to enhance your teaching toolkit. And get even more support from our growing number of 'anytime' online courses.
• Connect with the latest news and other educators by joining our Teacher's Toolkit Facebook group
• Explore upcoming live or online webinar  events

Have questions or feedback? Reach out to us directly at [email protected]

In this podcast episode, Sharon continues to dive into an innovative protocol designed by Dr. Nell Duke and her team, aimed at enhancing literacy instruction for teachers and students alike. Sharon explores how this assessment tool serves as a guide to help teachers track and support students’ growth in reading and writing with a focus on clarity, purpose, and alignment with curriculum standards.

The protocol’s foundation lies in purpose-driven literacy tasks, helping students understand the "why" behind their work. By prompting questions like, “Why am I writing this?” or “Who is this for?”, teachers encourage students to connect personally with reading and writing, fostering a deeper, more meaningful engagement. Sharon discusses how this tool spans all year levels, adapting to age-appropriate curriculum expectations and offering insights into language complexity. For instance, Year 3 students are supported to move beyond phonics, learning varied letter patterns and decoding strategies essential for understanding complex words.

This protocol doesn’t just benefit students; it’s invaluable for teachers at any career stage. Early-career educators gain structured guidance in assessment, while experienced teachers find new insights that validate and enrich their practice. The tool encourages teachers to make intentional observations, providing data to shape class-wide and individualised instructional plans. As Sharon explains, the protocol’s collaborative approach helps schools unify their literacy strategies, fostering reflective practice and shared growth among teaching staff.

Teachers interested in this tool will find resources like printable forms, prompts, and instructional videos on Dr. Nell Duke’s website. Join Sharon as she illustrates how this protocol empowers teachers to teach with purpose, offering a pathway to unlock every student’s full literacy potential.

READ THE BLOG HERE

RESOURCES

• Listening to Reading, Watching While Writing protocol

TEACHIFIC

• Personal Word Walls

JOIN TEACHIFIC NOW AND SAVE!

• Join Teachific  today. Access thousands of resources and a growing number of 'anytime' courses within your membership.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Tune in to "Teacher's Tool Kit For Literacy," a free podcast where accomplished literacy educator Sharon Callen and her team share valuable insights and tips. With over 30 years of experience, they provide strategic learning solutions to empower teachers and leaders worldwide.  Subscribe on your favourite platform for exclusive literacy learning content.  Apple, Spotify,  Google, YouTube

• Read our insightful blogs, which make valuable connections between resources, podcasts and courses.
• Visit our Cue Learning website and sign up for the Teacher's Toolkit Weekly newsletter to stay updated on resources, events and discover how Cue can support you and your school.
• Explore Teachific, our vast collection of PDF resources, to enhance your teaching toolkit. And get even more support from our growing number of 'anytime' online courses.
• Connect with the latest news and other educators by joining our Teacher's Toolkit Facebook group
• Explore upcoming live or online webinar  events

Have questions or feedback? Reach out to us directly at [email protected]

In part two of this enlightening series, Sharon Callen dives into a practical conversation about a revolutionary assessment tool designed to aid teachers in observing, understanding, and enhancing student literacy. From initial implementation to on-the-spot teaching moments, Sharon shares the real-world impact this tool has had as she’s modelled its use alongside teachers in classrooms across Australia. Sharon highlights how the tool's flexible structure—covering reading, spelling, and comprehension—offers teachers immediate insights into students' literacy strengths and areas for growth.

Listeners gain a front-row seat as Sharon explains how teachers can narrow their focus to specific elements, such as fluency. She delves into the details of using Tim Rasinski’s multidimensional fluency scale and how it allows teachers to set targeted goals and track progress in real time. Sharon also brings in examples from her own experiences, illustrating the ‘aha’ moments when students begin to comprehend nuanced aspects of reading, like the power of italics for emphasis in storytelling.

The conversation then expands into the tool’s prompting framework for comprehension and composition. Rather than relying on rote recall, Sharon reveals how thoughtfully designed prompts can deepen students' meta-cognitive skills and comprehension. Teachers are encouraged to use prompts that invite students to reflect on what they learned, their responses to texts, and how reading aligns with their personal goals.

With her warmth and depth of expertise, Sharon provides teachers with a clear path for embedding these practices into daily teaching, enabling richer student engagement and empowering educators with actionable data. This episode is packed with practical advice for any educator eager to make a lasting impact in literacy education.

READ THE BLOG HERE

RESOURCES

• Listening to Reading, Watching While Writing protocol

TEACHIFIC

• Personal Word Walls

JOIN TEACHIFIC NOW AND SAVE!

• Join Teachific  today. Access thousands of resources and a growing number of 'anytime' courses within your membership.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Tune in to "Teacher's Tool Kit For Literacy," a free podcast where accomplished literacy educator Sharon Callen and her team share valuable insights and tips. With over 30 years of experience, they provide strategic learning solutions to empower teachers and leaders worldwide.  Subscribe on your favourite platform for exclusive literacy learning content.  Apple, Spotify,  Google, YouTube

• Read our insightful blogs, which make valuable connections between resources, podcasts and courses.
• Visit our Cue Learning website and sign up for the Teacher's Toolkit Weekly newsletter to stay updated on resources, events and discover how Cue can support you and your school.
• Explore Teachific, our vast collection of PDF resources, to enhance your teaching toolkit. And get even more support from our growing number of 'anytime' online courses.
• Connect with the latest news and other educators by joining our Teacher's Toolkit Facebook group
• Explore upcoming live or online webinar  events

Have questions or feedback? Reach out to us directly at [email protected]

In this episode, Sharon Callen dives into a groundbreaking tool for educators—the "Listening to Reading, Watching While Writing" protocol, developed by literacy experts Nell Duke, Ward, and Klingelhofer. Sharon explores how this informal, formative assessment tool, launched between 2020 and 2023, is reshaping the way teachers assess and support their students' literacy skills in real-time.

Unlike traditional formal assessments, this tool places teachers in the role of a researcher, empowering them to observe, reflect, and teach on the spot. Sharon highlights that the protocol bridges reading and writing in a way that reflects their natural reciprocity, emphasising that what students learn as readers, they apply as writers—and vice versa.

Sharon discusses how this tool doesn’t replace formal assessments, but complements them by guiding educators in their observations during daily instruction. It provides nuanced insights into areas like word identification, comprehension, and vocabulary strategies. By capturing these moments, teachers can make informed, immediate decisions about how to scaffold students’ learning.

The episode underscores the protocol's flexible and evolving nature, inviting teachers to adapt it to their needs. Sharon shares her experiences working with educators to trial the tool, noting its potential to humanise assessment—focusing not just on data collection, but on real-time learning and growth. With this tool, the goal is clear: empowering teachers to make a difference right there, right then, for every student’s reading and writing journey.

Listeners are encouraged to explore the protocol and its resources, readily available for free online, and to see how this innovative approach can transform their teaching practice.

RESOURCES

• Listening to Reading, Watching While Writing protocol
• Timothy Rasinski - Fluency Rubric

TEACHIFIC

• Personal Word Walls

JOIN TEACHIFIC NOW AND SAVE!

• Join Teachific  today. Access thousands of resources and a growing number of 'anytime' courses within your membership.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Tune in to "Teacher's Tool Kit For Literacy," a free podcast where accomplished literacy educator Sharon Callen and her team share valuable insights and tips. With over 30 years of experience, they provide strategic learning solutions to empower teachers and leaders worldwide.  Subscribe on your favourite platform for exclusive literacy learning content.  Apple, Spotify,  Google, YouTube

• Read our insightful blogs, which make valuable connections between resources, podcasts and courses.
• Visit our Cue Learning website and sign up for the Teacher's Toolkit Weekly newsletter to stay updated on resources, events and discover how Cue can support you and your school.
• Explore Teachific, our vast collection of PDF resources, to enhance your teaching toolkit. And get even more support from our growing number of 'anytime' online courses.
• Connect with the latest news and other educators by joining our Teacher's Toolkit Facebook group
• Explore upcoming live or online webinar  events

Have questions or feedback? Reach out to us directly at [email protected]

In Blessing the Book: Exploring Picture Books with Sharon Callen – Part 4, listeners are once again invited into the world of children’s literature as Sharon Callen shares her insightful exploration of picture books that captivate the imagination while addressing real-world themes. 

In this episode, Sharon highlights how carefully chosen picture books can be powerful tools for teachers, offering both joyful escapism and meaningful engagement with complex topics like grief, resilience, and environmental stewardship.

Sharon dives into a series of picture books that exemplify the magic of storytelling for young readers. From the heartwarming journey in The Garden at the End of the World by Cassy Polimeni and Briony Stewart, which teaches hope through the Global Seed Vault, to the poignant Mizuto and the Wind by Kaye Baillie and Luisa Gioffre-Suzuki, which gently addresses loss and healing, these stories offer profound learning experiences. 

She also delves into Eat My Dust, a historical adventure that brings to life the fearless contributions of women to Australia's history.

Sharon explains how each book can be a “mirror” for children to see themselves or a “window” to experience new perspectives. From the lyrical flow of Whisper on the Wind to the thought-provoking themes in Egg by Clare Atkins, she emphasises how these books can inspire deep conversations about community, diversity, and belonging.

Through this engaging and thought-provoking episode, Sharon encourages educators to not just read picture books, but to bless them—inviting students into narratives that spark curiosity, foster emotional growth, and broaden their understanding of the world. The episode underscores the power of stories to connect us all, no matter our age.

RESOURCES

Books:

• The Garden at the End of the World by Cassy Polimeni and Briony Stewart 
• Mizuto and the Wind by Kaye Baillie and Luisa Gioffre-Suzuki
• Eat My Dust by Nerida McMullin and Lucia Masciullo
• Whisper on the Wind by Claire Saxby and Jess Racklyeft
• The Tree at Number 43 by Jess McGeachin
• Old Fellow by Christopher Cheng and Liz Anelli
• Mama’s Chickens by Michelle Worthington and Nicky Johnston
• Egg by Clare Atkins and Harrison Vial
• A Feather on a Wing by Maria Speyer
• Hope is the Thing by Johanna Bell and Erica Wagner

Podcast:

• Read Aloud: Mem Fox on Capturing hearts and Minds through Literature

JOIN TEACHIFIC NOW AND SAVE!

• Join Teachific  today. Access thousands of resources and a growing number of 'anytime' courses within your membership.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Tune in to "Teacher's Tool Kit For Literacy," a free podcast where accomplished literacy educator Sharon Callen and her team share valuable insights and tips. With over 30 years of experience, they provide strategic learning solutions to empower teachers and leaders worldwide.  Subscribe on your favourite platform for exclusive literacy learning content.  Apple, Spotify,  Google, YouTube

• Read our insightful blogs, which make valuable connections between resources, podcasts and courses.
• Visit our Cue Learning website and sign up for the Teacher's Toolkit Weekly newsletter to stay updated on resources, events and discover how Cue can support you and your school.
• Explore Teachific, our vast collection of PDF resources, to enhance your teaching toolkit. And get even more support from our growing number of 'anytime' online courses.
• Connect with the latest news and other educators by joining our Teacher's Toolkit Facebook group
• Explore upcoming live or online webinar  events

Have questions or feedback? Reach out to us directly at [email protected]

In the latest episode of Blessing the Book: Nurturing Readers through Stories, Sharon Callen explores how thoughtfully selected children’s books can transform classrooms and create meaningful connections with young readers. Sharon introduces her concept of “blessing” books—honouring the stories and voices of the authors while guiding students through rich discussions that build empathy, spark imagination, and deepen their understanding of the world around them.

The episode highlights a variety of titles that range from heartfelt explorations of family and grief to exciting tales of adventure and mystery. Each book offers unique classroom connections that encourage students to think critically and creatively. 

Whether it’s The Letterbox Tree, a tale of environmental resilience, or The Impossible Secret of Lillian Velvet, which dives into magic and time travel, Sharon shows how these stories open up new avenues for students to reflect on their own experiences and the world at large.

Sharon’s approach emphasises the power of the read-aloud experience, where teachers can bring books to life simply by sharing them with students. Whether it’s a novel in verse or an adventurous historical fiction, these moments of shared reading allow for deeper exploration of emotions, themes, and the beauty of storytelling.

The episode reinforces how, through books, teachers can foster empathy and curiosity, transforming both their students and classrooms in profound ways. It is a celebration of the magic of literature and its power to nurture readers who think critically, connect deeply, and engage joyfully with the written word.

RESOURCES

Books:

• The Letterbox Tree by Rebecca Lim and Kate Gordon
• Jane Doe and the Quill of All Tales by Jeremy Lachlan
  Dusty in the Outwilds by Rhiannon Williams
• Meet Me at the Moon Tree by Shivaun Plozza
• The Impossible Secret of Lillian Velvet by Jaclyn Moriarty (Author), Kelly Canby (Illustrator)
• The Bookseller’s Apprentice by Amelia Mellor
• Silver Linings by Katrina Nannestad
• Waiting for the Storks by Katrina Nannestad
• My Brother Ben by Peter Carnavas
• What Snail Knows by Kathryn Apel
• How to Spell Catastrophe by Fiona Wood
• Sunshine on Vinegar Street by Karen Comer

Podcast:

• Read Aloud: Mem Fox on Capturing hearts and Minds through Literature

JOIN TEACHIFIC NOW AND SAVE!

• Join Teachific  today. Access thousands of resources and a growing number of 'anytime' courses within your membership.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Tune in to "Teacher's Tool Kit For Literacy," a free podcast where accomplished literacy educator Sharon Callen and her team share valuable insights and tips. With over 30 years of experience, they provide strategic learning solutions to empower teachers and leaders worldwide.  Subscribe on your favourite platform for exclusive literacy learning content.  Apple, Spotify,  Google, YouTube

• Read our insightful blogs, which make valuable connections between resources, podcasts and courses.
• Visit our Cue Learning website and sign up for the Teacher's Toolkit Weekly newsletter to stay updated on resources, events and discover how Cue can support you and your school.
• Explore Teachific, our vast collection of PDF resources, to enhance your teaching toolkit. And get even more support from our growing number of 'anytime' online courses.
• Connect with the latest news and other educators by joining our Teacher's Toolkit Facebook group
• Explore upcoming live or online webinar  events

Have questions or feedback? Reach out to us directly at [email protected]